Auburn running back Tre Mason goes to the air over Missouri defensive back John Gibson during the SEC Championship game in Atlanta. Auburn made its case to play for the national championship with a 59-42 victory. (John Bazemore/AP)

Maine tight end Justin Perillo can't hold on to a pass while being defended by New Hampshire defensive back Casey DeAndrade (28) and linebacker Akil Anderson (42) in an FCS playoff game. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)

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Baylor Santa

A green-clad Santa Claus leads fans onto the field before Baylor's game against Texas in Waco. (LM Otero/AP)

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Championship bath

Rice head coach David Baliff is doused by his players after the Owls defeated Marshall, 41-24, in the Conference USA championship game at Rice Stadium in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle)

Missouri fans Talon Bates, left and Michael Thomas, of Columbia Mo., walk into the Georgia Dome before the SEC Championship game between Auburn and Missouri. A young Auburn fan steals the scene, however. (David Goldman/AP)

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Knock it down

Baylor cornerback Demetri Goodson breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Texas wide receiver Marcus Johnson. Baylor bats down the Longhorns, 30-10, and wins the Big 12 championship. (LM Otero/AP)

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Trophy time

Rice fans storm the field and surround tight end Robby Wells III as he holds up the championship trophy after the Owls defeat Marshall 41-24 in the Conference USA title game in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle)

Oklahoma State running back Desmond Roland is stopped short of the goal line by Oklahoma linebacker Dominique Alexander. Oklahoma won the annual Bedlam game, 33-24. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

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Rice fans

Rice fans cheer as their team takes the field to face Marshall in the Conference USA Championship game at Rice Stadium in Houston. (Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle)

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Tight quarters

Rice cornerback Bryce Callahan (29) breaks up a pass intended for Marshall wide receiver Devon Smith (11) during the first half of the Conference USA Championship at Rice Stadium in Houston. Rice wins the title and will play in the Liberty Bowl. (Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle)

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Bobbled

UCF wide receiver J.J. Worton is unable to catch a potential TD pass as SMU defensive back Kenneth Acker defends at Ford Stadium in Dallas. UCF, which will play in a BCS bowl as champion of the American Athletic Conference, won the game, 17-13.(Brandon Wade/The Dallas Morning News)

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MVP toss

Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson gets a throw off against Northern Illinois in the Mid-American Conference Championship game in Detroit. Johnson was named the game's MVP. (Carlos Osorio/AP)

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Doused

Bowling Green coach Dave Clawson is doused in the closing seconds of the Falcons' 47-27 victory over Northern Illinois in the Mid-American Conference title game at Ford Field in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)